For me anyway. Was trapping a field edge last year on heavily posted property, there was a neighboring property about 1/4 mile away with a few free ranging shepherds. I made one unharmed release a few days later my wolf fa g was dug up and trap was stolen. Fresh shepherd sign was present. I had isex landowners of the theft he had used that the neighbor had taken the trap..he assured me that it would not happen again. No more trouble after that fido was tied In the yard.
Sometime this summer the landowner bought the neighbor out. She still lives o. The property however, she also still has numerous dogs. I was trapping same place this year except mine using sabertooth drags. Waz pulling the line today get down to the same field as last yr ,last trap and drag are missing. I spent 2 3 hrs searching. No luck. So this time I go knock on the door. Young man comes out wit numerous dogs none with a limp. Asked him if I may have caught one of them because .y trap was missing again. He said I had but it was last yr and the trap was around here, well he couldn't find it so we left and told hi. To call if he did..
We went to the next house and asked they said no so we left. The young man at the 1st house flagged us down so we stopped he ran back into the house and came out w a backpack he dug around a minute we asked if he had found the trap . He said no however his mom had sold it at an auction. He went out to he car got out his wallet and handed me 30.00 I told him no just do t do it again and thanked him. But he insisted to pay for the trap. Couldn't believe he paid me for the trap! I thanked him again for making this right.
I did call the game warden to report this missing trap and to advise him that at least 1 with my identification was sold at auction..wouldn't have believed this lol warden also said he would pay them a visit if I thought there would be a future problem. I told him no. I'll look again tomorrow but now I think maybe a coonhunter picked it up.
I sure was not expecting to get the cash. Any of you have this happen before
